Pop sensation Ariana Grande showcased her impressive comedic chops and uncanny impersonation skills while hosting the latest episode of Saturday Night Live. The 32-year-old star, fresh from making headlines by posting her boyfriend Ethan Slater on social media, stole the show with a series of sketches, including one where she playfully mocked fellow icon Katy Perry.
Grande's Spot-On Katy Perry Impression
One of the night's standout sketches was the 'Random Duet Christmas Spectacular', a parody segment featuring unlikely musical pairings. Grande took on the role of Katy Perry, who was depicted in a bizarre festive collaboration with folk legend Bob Dylan, played by SNL cast member James Austin Johnson.
For the impersonation, Grande sported a long dark wig and a full astronaut costume. This was a direct and humorous reference to Katy Perry's controversial Blue Origin space flight in April of this year. On that 11-minute mission, funded by Jeff Bezos, Perry was part of an all-female crew with Lauren Sanchez and Gayle King. After landing, the singer famously kissed the ground.
In the sketch, Grande belted out altered lyrics to Perry's hit 'Firework', singing 'Baby you're a Christmas tree!' in a perfect mimicry of Perry's vocal style. She added, 'Went to outer space,' while Johnson, as Dylan, interjected with lines like 'It's in space.'
Nailing the Celine Dion Persona
Grande's vocal versatility didn't stop there. Later in the same sketch, she seamlessly transitioned into an impression of the legendary Celine Dion. Johnson, meanwhile, portrayed Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli. The duo performed a holiday song to the tune of 'The Prayer', a song the real Dion and Bocelli have performed together in the past.
Grande nailed Dion's signature high notes and mannerisms, wearing a shimmering silver dress reminiscent of the Canadian icon's style. Johnson complemented her in a white suit, mirroring the looks from Dion and Bocelli's 2011 Central Park performance.
An All-Star Cast of Impersonations
The SNL Christmas sketch featured a host of other bizarre musical pairings portrayed by the show's talented cast. Sarah Sherman impersonated Kate Bush, while Bowen Yang took on the role of Yoko Ono. Kenan Thompson portrayed Stevie Wonder, performing 'Superstition' alongside a cast member playing Benson Boone, who executed the singer's signature backflip onto the stage and into a piano.
Other artists parodied in the segment included Bruce Springsteen, Bad Bunny, Bjork, and Post Malone. The sketch concluded with a fictional voiceover announcing it was 'coming to Peacock December 33rd', highlighting its absurdity.
Social Media Erupts with Praise
Viewers quickly took to social media platform X to applaud Grande's performance. One fan wrote, 'ariana imitating katy stoppp #SNL,' while another praised, 'Ariana hitting katy notes like nothing.' Others were equally impressed with her Dion, with a user posting, 'Ariana as Celine Dion,' alongside a 'Perfect' GIF.
Comments also included admiration for the attention to detail, with one person noting, 'Ariana channeling Katy Perry in that iconic spacesuit look on SNL is pure gold. The ponytail upgrade is everything.' Some even suggested 'Ariana grande should just be on SNL cast' full-time.
This is not Grande's first foray into celebrity impressions. Back in 2015, she impersonated artists like Dion, Britney Spears, and Christina Aguilera on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. Last year, during a previous SNL hosting stint, she delivered a popular impression of actress Jennifer Coolidge.
